BURTON 1 NUNEATON 1

In the opening game of 2006, omens for Nuneaton were not good with an early morning start time away at Burton and several cry off’s.

However, it was the visitors that had the stronger of the starts and were unlucky not to score within the first few minutes of the game when a shot just went the wrong side of the post from Dave Eccles.

Nuneaton started to play some flowing hockey down both sides of the pitch and were rewarded with a mistake when the Burton defence gave the ball away in a dangerous area outside their own ‘D’. The ball fell to Dave Eccles who slid the ball through to Tom HIGGINSON and he coolly slotted the ball home to make it 1-0.

After that, Nuneaton were passing the ball around the pitch with ease and some excellent moves involving James Owens, Ali Clarke, Kevin Edwards, Paul Whitehead and Tom Higginson put the home side under severe pressure.

Unfortunately, Burton scored against the run of play to make it 1-1 shortly before half time and then the second half proceeded in much the same way as the first. Nuneaton played much of the game in the opponents’ half but could not penetrate a resilient home defence.

Even though Saturday’s game was only a friendly, Nuneaton can take a lot of spirit into the Coaching Solutions league game between the two teams in a few weeks time.

NUNEATON II 2 BURTON II 2

This game was played in a good spirit with both teams playing some fast and exciting hockey, with the home side pressing the visitors hard in the early stages.

Nuneaton took the lead from a well-taken short corner which was finished clinically by Ally JONES, and this led to Burton pushing forward in desperate search of an equaliser.

The visitors were unable to breach a resolute Nuneaton defence, and despite their efforts, it was the home side that broke away to score a second goal with Roger STOKES rifling home from a switched short corner.

The second half saw Burton increase the pressure and they scored their own short corner goal after Alan Owens saved the initial shot on the line, and the hungry centre forward gobbled the rebound.

Both sides continued to attack in tit-for-tat fashion, but solid defence and some near misses meant there was no addition to the score until a superb solo goal from the Burton centre forward equalled the scores.

Picking the ball up outside the Nuneaton “D”, he skilfully rounded three players before finally wrong-footing keeper Sidwell and shooting into the empty net.

After such a thrilling and open game, the only fair result was a draw, and both teams retired to the clubhouse well satisfied with their performance.

BURTON III 4 NUNEATON III 0

Nuneaton’s third team were well beaten in this friendly fixture by a Burton team who were quicker, passed strongly and played with no little skill.

The visitors started badly when some naïve defending allowed Burton two early goals, leaving keeper Norrington exposed and with little chance.

Nuneaton regained their composure after the early onslaught and began to play better hockey, picking up their players and passing the ball with more fluency and should have reduced the deficit when, after a good run, James Owens flicked the ball just over the crossbar. This however proved to be their best and only chance of the game.

The second period saw Nuns tackle and defend resolutely with Michael Close, Ed Nixon and Mike Norrington outstanding, but the rest of the team were still in Christmas mode with certain players giving the ball away at will and the forwards making little impact on a resolute Burton defence.

Oliver Gazeley and Sam Wiggins worked hard for little reward and as the visitors tired, Burton scored two further goals to give them a rather flattering result.

To their credit Nuneaton always competed but their passing lacked penetration and accuracy and too often they chose the wrong option.

NUNEATON IV 1 BURTON IV 2

This was the team’s first game for three weeks, and the excesses of the Christmas period and the allegiance of some to support their football colleagues in the FA cup presented the fourths with an unbalanced side in more senses than one.

Numbers did not suffer, and indeed there was quantity in abundance with fourteen players making the squad, although final quality was another matter.

The game started in a disjointed fashion for both sides as Nuneaton failed to find any shape or rhythm and Burton controlled the early pattern of the game. Thus it was some surprise when Nuneaton took the lead.

A quick sweeping move from the back saw Peter Sidwell fire in a powerful drive which the ‘keeper could only smother with his pads. Roger Stokes then broke away on the left, before crossing for Dave HOLMES, playing his first game since an appendix operation, to poke home from close range.

It was not long before Burton levelled. A scrappy goal line melee which the home side should have cleared on more than one occasion allowed Burton to score and the away side took the lead when again, Nuneaton should have cleared the ball long before it became dangerous.

There followed a period of play which saw Nuneaton in the ascendancy, and really should have led to several goals. Chances went begging as Roger Stokes, Dave Ellingworth and Troy Burton all went close.

A series of short corners were won but went unconverted, as did a penalty flick. Ian Molyneux was felled in the area but the resulting flick from Nev Holmes was saved in Gordon Banks style from Mexico 1970 by the Burton ‘keeper.

This was a good game to get out of the way before the more serious Coaching Solutions league programme resumes shortly.

BURTON V 7 NUNEATON V 2

A young and skilful Burton side with a veteran goal-poaching centre forward proved too much for Nuneaton’s fifth string to handle.

Nuneaton played as if they were still suffering from the holiday celebrations, but despite this they competed well in the first half and although they conceded three goals they scored two themselves through Phil WHEATLEY and Sid ORPIN.

They still had cause to be grateful to Henry Casement in goal who had no chance with the three that were scored and prevented more. Nuneaton’s willingness to give the ball away led to the defence coming under more pressure in the second half.

With the skilful Burton midfield playing one-twos around defenders, errors were forced. Casement continued to play well but his heroics were not enough.

With the Burton centre forward in sharp enough form to get five goals and not really needing the assistance of his team mates for the scoring, Nuneaton were a well beaten team by the end of the match.

NUNEATON VI 2 SUTTON VII 0

This was probably Nuneaton sixth team’s best performance of the season against a good Sutton side that contained a mixture of both youth and experience.

The visitors started very strongly and in truth the home side were fortunate not to fall behind in the first twenty minutes. It was down to a mixture of resolute defence and inspired goalkeeping by the ever-youthful Ian “The Cat” Mason.

A couple of substitutions by Nuneaton then stated to cause the visitors a problem or two and in one of Nuneaton’s rare attacks, Nigel Lawton found himself with enough space to fire off a shot.

Although the keeper was able to save it, Josh WAGG was quick enough to flick the ball home from almost underneath the goalkeeper’s pads.

The second half saw the visitors redouble their efforts to score but were unable to create any clear-cut chances. However Nuneaton did not sit on their lead and following a well struck free hit by Ian Molyneux, Geoff WAGG produced the perfect deflection to score.

The game continued at a pace but neither side were able to add to the score sheet. Nuneaton can be very proud of this win and more performances like this will see a reward in league points.